1
|
Deuker D, Asilonu E, Bracewell DG, Frank S. Adeno-Associated Virus 5 Protein Particles Produced by E. coli Cell-Free Protein Synthesis. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:2710-2717. [PMID: 39178386 PMCID: PMC11421080 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) have emerged as important tools for gene therapy and, more recently, vaccine development. Nonetheless, manufacturing can be costly and time-consuming, emphasizing the importance of alternative production platforms. We investigate the potential of E. coli-based cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) to produce recombinant AAV5 virus-like particles (VLPs). AAV5 virus protein 3 (VP3) constructs, both with and without Strep-tag II, were expressed with CFPS. Lower reaction temperatures resulted in increased solubility, with the untagged variant containing nearly 90% more soluble VLP VP3 protein at 18 °C than at 37 °C. Affinity chromatography of N-terminally Strep(II)-tagged VP3 enabled successful isolation with minimal processing. DLS and TEM confirmed the presence of ∼20 nm particles. Furthermore, the N-terminally tagged AAV5 VP3 VLPs were biologically active, successfully internalizing into HeLa cells. This study describes an innovative approach to AAV VLP production using E. coli-based CFPS, demonstrating its potential for rapid and biologically active AAV VLP synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Deuker
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Ernest Asilonu
- Cytiva Europe Limited, 5 Harbourgate Business Park, Southampton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 4BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel G Bracewell
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Frank
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fuertes MA, López Mateos D, Valiente L, Rodríguez Huete A, Valbuena A, Mateu MG. Electrostatic Screening, Acidic pH and Macromolecular Crowding Increase the Self-Assembly Efficiency of the Minute Virus of Mice Capsid In Vitro. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051054. [PMID: 37243141 DOI: 10.3390/v15051054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The hollow protein capsids from a number of different viruses are being considered for multiple biomedical or nanotechnological applications. In order to improve the applied potential of a given viral capsid as a nanocarrier or nanocontainer, specific conditions must be found for achieving its faithful and efficient assembly in vitro. The small size, adequate physical properties and specialized biological functions of the capsids of parvoviruses such as the minute virus of mice (MVM) make them excellent choices as nanocarriers and nanocontainers. In this study we analyzed the effects of protein concentration, macromolecular crowding, temperature, pH, ionic strength, or a combination of some of those variables on the fidelity and efficiency of self-assembly of the MVM capsid in vitro. The results revealed that the in vitro reassembly of the MVM capsid is an efficient and faithful process. Under some conditions, up to ~40% of the starting virus capsids were reassembled in vitro as free, non aggregated, correctly assembled particles. These results open up the possibility of encapsidating different compounds in VP2-only capsids of MVM during its reassembly in vitro, and encourage the use of virus-like particles of MVM as nanocontainers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Fuertes
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego López Mateos
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Valiente
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Rodríguez Huete
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Valbuena
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mauricio G Mateu
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen MY, Chen W, Tong J, Ho ML, Suh J. N-terminal serine/threonine motif has diverse and important effects on behavior of multiple AAV serotypes. Virology 2021; 563:107-115. [PMID: 34509702 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising gene therapy vector, but questions remain regarding mechanisms of basic viral functions. We previously showed that a serine/threonine (S/T) triplet motif and its flanking residues, located in the overlapping N-terminus of VP1/VP2 and highly conserved across most AAV serotypes, are critical for viral transcript production in vitro. Here we generate a panel of S/T triplet mutants in AAV serotypes 2, 4, and 9 and characterize their behaviors in vitro and in vivo using next generation sequencing. We show that S/T triplet mutations can significantly hinder some stages of transduction in a serotype-dependent manner in vitro. Interestingly, these defects are largely overcome in C57BL/6 mice, with only one mutant displaying altered behavior in vivo. Taken together, our results identify a short N-terminal capsid motif with diverse roles across several AAV serotypes which better informs engineering efforts to improve AAV as a vector for gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Y Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Weitong Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Jessica Tong
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Michelle L Ho
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Junghae Suh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA; Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lugin ML, Lee RT, Kwon YJ. Synthetically Engineered Adeno-Associated Virus for Efficient, Safe, and Versatile Gene Therapy Applications. ACS NANO 2020; 14:14262-14283. [PMID: 33073995 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy directly targets mutations causing disease, allowing for a specific treatment at a molecular level. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been of increasing interest as a gene delivery vehicle, as AAV vectors are safe, effective, and capable of eliciting a relatively contained immune response. With the recent FDA approval of two AAV drugs for treating rare genetic diseases, AAV vectors are now on the market and are being further explored for other therapies. While showing promise in immune privileged tissue, the use of AAV for systemic delivery is still limited due to the high prevalence of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). To avoid nAb-mediated inactivation, engineered AAV vectors with modified protein capsids, materials tethered to the capsid surface, or fully encapsulated in a second, larger carrier have been explored. Many of these engineered AAVs have added benefits, including avoided immune response, overcoming the genome size limit, targeted and stimuli-responsive delivery, and multimodal therapy of two or more therapeutic modalities in one platform. Native and engineered AAV vectors have been tested to treat a broad range of diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, retinal diseases, cancers, and tissue damage. This review will cover the benefits of AAV as a promising gene vector by itself, the progress and advantages of engineered AAV vectors, particularly synthetically engineered ones, and the current state of their clinical translation in therapy.
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen L, Liang J. An overview of functional nanoparticles as novel emerging antiviral therapeutic agents. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 112:110924. [PMID: 32409074 PMCID: PMC7195146 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.110924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Research on highly effective antiviral drugs is essential for preventing the spread of infections and reducing losses. Recently, many functional nanoparticles have been shown to possess remarkable antiviral ability, such as quantum dots, gold and silver nanoparticles, nanoclusters, carbon dots, graphene oxide, silicon materials, polymers and dendrimers. Despite their difference in antiviral mechanism and inhibition efficacy, these functional nanoparticles-based structures have unique features as potential antiviral candidates. In this topical review, we highlight the antiviral efficacy and mechanism of these nanoparticles. Specifically, we introduce various methods for analyzing the viricidal activity of functional nanoparticles and the latest advances in antiviral functional nanoparticles. Furthermore, we systematically describe the advantages and disadvantages of these functional nanoparticles in viricidal applications. Finally, we discuss the challenges and prospects of antiviral nanostructures. This topic review covers 132 papers and will enrich our knowledge about the antiviral efficacy and mechanism of various functional nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Jiangong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Thadani NN, Yang J, Moyo B, Lee CM, Chen MY, Bao G, Suh J. Site-Specific Post-translational Surface Modification of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Using Leucine Zippers. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:461-467. [PMID: 32068391 PMCID: PMC7323921 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is widely favored as a gene therapy vector, tested in over 200 clinical trials internationally. To improve targeted delivery a variety of genetic capsid modifications, such as insertion of targeting proteins/peptides into the capsid shell, have been explored with some success but larger insertions often have unpredictable deleterious impacts on capsid formation and gene delivery. Here, we demonstrate a modular platform for the integration of exogenous peptides and proteins onto the AAV capsid post-translationally while preserving vector functionality. We decorated the AAV capsid with leucine-zipper coiled-coil binding motifs that exhibit specific noncovalent heterodimerization. AAV capsids successfully display hexahistidine tagged-peptides using this approach, as demonstrated through nickel column affinity. This protein display platform may facilitate the incorporation of biological moieties on the AAV surface, expanding possibilities for vector enhancement and engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole N Thadani
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Joanna Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Buhle Moyo
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ciaran M Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Maria Y Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Junghae Suh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen MY, Butler SS, Chen W, Suh J. Physical, chemical, and synthetic virology: Reprogramming viruses as controllable nanodevices. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 11:e1545. [PMID: 30411529 PMCID: PMC6461522 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The fields of physical, chemical, and synthetic virology work in partnership to reprogram viruses as controllable nanodevices. Physical virology provides the fundamental biophysical understanding of how virus capsids assemble, disassemble, display metastability, and assume various configurations. Chemical virology considers the virus capsid as a chemically addressable structure, providing chemical pathways to modify the capsid exterior, interior, and subunit interfaces. Synthetic virology takes an engineering approach, modifying the virus capsid through rational, combinatorial, and bioinformatics-driven design strategies. Advances in these three subfields of virology aim to develop virus-based materials and tools that can be applied to solve critical problems in biomedicine and biotechnology, including applications in gene therapy and drug delivery, diagnostics, and immunotherapy. Examples discussed include mammalian viruses, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV), plant viruses, such as cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), and bacterial viruses, such as Qβ bacteriophage. Importantly, research efforts in physical, chemical, and synthetic virology have further unraveled the design principles foundational to the form and function of viruses. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan S Butler
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
| | - Weitong Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
| | - Junghae Suh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee EJ, Guenther CM, Suh J. Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Vectors: Rational Design Strategies for Capsid Engineering. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2018; 7:58-63. [PMID: 31106283 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) consists of a simple genome, infects mammalian cells, displays nonpathogenicity in humans, and spans an array of serotypes and variants bearing distinct tissue tropisms. These attributes lend AAV tremendous promise as a gene delivery vector, further substantiated by its extensive testing in human clinical trials. Rational design approaches to capsid engineering leverage current scientific knowledge of AAV to further modulate, enhance and optimize the performance of the vectors. Capsid modification strategies include amino acid point mutations, peptide domain insertions, and chemical biology approaches. Through such efforts, insights regarding AAV capsid sequence-structure-function relationships can be learned. Developments over the last 5 years in rational design-based capsid engineering approaches will be presented and discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther J Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6500 Main St., MS-142, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Caitlin M Guenther
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6500 Main St., MS-142, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Junghae Suh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6500 Main St., MS-142, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| |
Collapse
|